The contest in Texas was lopsided _ the ban was receiving support from about 76 percent of voters with nearly two-thirds of precincts reporting. Like every other state except Massachusetts, Texas didn't permit same-sex marriages previously, but the constitutional amendment was touted as an extra guard against future court rulings.

This result provides much assurance to men especially, who now have the law behind them when they make their choice to be heterosexual.

There was much relief expressed as marriages across the state were saved from divorce for the purpose of making a homosexual marriage commitment. The constitutional amendment, however, is mute about whether married individuals can legally have homosexual affairs.

Section 1, clause A defines marriage as a union between a man and woman, clause B prohibits the creation or recognition of any legal status identical or similar marriage. It was no doubt intended to ban 'domestic partner' laws, but the language is so badly written that it bans all marriage.

There is already an effort underway to invalidate the thing because of that.